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Police fought running battles with anti-globalisation protesters

Volatile: activists, City traders and police clashed in riots in 1999, which left 46 people injured and caused up to £2 million damage

Anti-globalisation activists are plotting a mass demonstration against bankers in the heart of the City, the Evening Standard can reveal.

Police are on full alert ahead of the protest, planned for 1 April - the day world leaders arrive in London for the G20 summit.

Thousands of demonstrators, including anarchists and anti-aviation activists, are planning a series of protests, aiming to capitalise on disenchantment with City financiers blamed for dragging the economy into recession.

The event, dubbed 'Financial Fools Day', is likely to cause mass disruption as demonstrators try to block traffic and buildings by lying in tents and sleeping bags across the road.

One source suggested the protest would include a "spectacular action". Organisers said on the Climate Camp website: "Join us for camping, workshops, protest, positive alternatives, direct action and community.

Protesters hope to mobilise "anti fat-cat" sentiment among students and workers affected by the credit crunch as they demonstrate against the financial system, and are inviting activists to "set up camp" in London's financial centre.

One environmentalist source said: "People are angry about losing their jobs and bankers still getting their bonuses. People are also up in arms about the Government bulldozing anti-airport legislation through as we saw with the third runway at Heathrow."

Despite police becoming adept at controlling such demonstrations and preventing widespread disorder of the type that occurred during the May Day and poll tax riots in the Nineties, there are fears small groups will wreak havoc.

Police sources said: "Angry activists and aggressive City trader types are a volatile mix, as we have seen before."

During the 1999 City Riot, which left 46 people injured and caused up to £2 million damage, fights broke out between City workers and anarchists protesting in the streets and in private premises.

The April protest has captured the imagination of anarchists. Some are plotting further demonstrations against the G20 on the day of the summit on 2 April.

One protester said the example of Athens, where young Greeks have been rioting for several months since police shot dead a teenager, could provide further inspiration.

An anarchist blogged: "The combination of the recession, the inspiration of the Greek anarchists and the G20 summit being in London on 2 April gives us the opportunity to mobilise far larger than usual numbers on to the streets... Seize the time."